Voting as an Aboriginal Canadian

Posted By: Tjay Henhawk
To: Members in First Nations & Aboriginal Rights
Voting as an Aboriginal Canadian: Conservative, Liberal or NDP?

I would think most aboriginals (the ones who live in the territories) oppose too much government involvement in their lives and want to be left alone. A great number of aboriginal Canadians living in the big cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton can make a huge impact on the voting poles.

There are currently four parties leading the pack, they include:

• CONSERVATIVES: I don’t believe the aboriginal community would support Harper's party in fear of budget cuts affecting services to first nation groups
• LIBERIAL: I don’t see too much affiliation with the Liberal Party
• GREEN: I don’t see some aboriginals voting Green because hunting for food is their way of life
• NDP: Too much government intervention could cause the aboriginal community not to vote

Nunavut (primarily Inuit youth) voted Conservative, but NWT (more non-Inuit aboriginals) voted NDP.

Are aboriginal Canadians truly happy with any one of the parties or should there be an Aboriginal Rights Party to itself much like the Bloc Party in Quebec?

Isn't there a movement for a Bloc Party for natives? Not a separatist party, just a party that's Anti-global warming but extremely Pro-Hunting?

Other ethnic groups prove that more political parties are needed.

First Nations already have political bodies that represent them:

• Locally
o Band councils
• Regionally - organizations such as the
o Union of Ontario Indians – http://www.anishinabek.ca/
o Grand Council of Treaty 3 – http://www.gct3.net/
o Grand Council of Treaty 8 – http://www.treaty8.ca/
o Mocreebec Council of the Cree Nation – http://www.mocreebec.com/
o Nishnawbe Aski Nation – http://www.nan.on.ca/
o Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs – http://www.manitobachiefs.com/
o Nationally the Assembly of First Nations – http://www.afn.ca/

NDP is the only Canadian party that have always included strategies to address First Nations issues and concerns.

No matter which party you do decide to vote for, it's important that your voice is heard! If not for yourself but for your family and your community!

ON MONDAY MAY 2ND HAVE YOUR SAY AND VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!!!!!